Intercultural competence in the language classroom

3. 
Methodology
The students involved in the study are Chinese students on exchange from the 
University of Nottingham China campus; they are students of Italian at level A1-
A2 of the CEFR taking part in the exchange programme for the full academic 
year (2017-2018). The study involved an exceptionally small number of students 
(four) all of which are female and 19 to 20 year olds. This study is a reflection on 
the activities implemented to engage the students in a process of self‑reflection 
and discovery of the concept of interculturality. The strategies used in class draw 
on 
Deardorff’s (2006)
model with the attempt to raise awareness of the culture 
of the self, the culture of the other, and each other’s perspectives. In particular, 
seven sets of activities were devised following 
Deardorff’s (2006)
model. 
3.1. 
Set 1: reflect on their own culture 
This set aims to work on the concept of knowledge in 
Deardorff’s (2006)
 model 
as it focusses on reflection on issues of cultural self‑awareness. The students 
were asked to produce a guidebook, poster, presentation, or webpage in Italian 

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for prospective visitors to their own town, country, or region. The aim of this 
activity was not only to describe the famous sites and national heritages, but 
also and foremost, to advise the visitor on cultural differences that could be 
encountered. As an example, the students chose to present on how to master 
using chopsticks in socially appropriate ways. 
3.2. 
Set 2: become aware of how their culture 
is seen from another perspective 
To foster critical thinking as a skill from 
Deardorff’s (2006)
model, the students 
were provided with a choice of articles and extracts from books, magazines, 
and websites in the target language and written by people who visited China. 
As an example, the students were provided with a few paragraphs from the 
book ‘La Porta Proibita’ by Tiziano 
Terzani (1985)
, an Italian journalist who 
reported from China for many years. Given the year of publication of the book, 
this also stirred discussions on changes that have taken place in China in the 
last 30 years.